Public School 154 in Hillcrest became the second Green Flag school in the city and the 21st in the country for its participation in the National Wildlife Federation's Eco-Schools USA programming for conserving natural resources and integrating environmental curriculum.

In addition to starting an outdoor garden at the school, the 4th and 5th grade classes held monthly outreach meetings with younger students in the school, located at 7502 162nd St.

“The Green Flag award places P.S. 154 among an elite group of schools across the country that are improving their schools by reducing energy costs and waste, greening school grounds, and nurturing student-scientists through hands-on learning,” said Emily Fano, New York City outreach manager for the program.

The students also worked closely with GrowNYC and the “Recycling Champion” and “Big Lift” awards for their schoolwide recycling initiative that increased recycling rates at P.S. 154 by 268 percent and reduced trash by 46 percent.

Assemblywoman Nily Rozic joined the teachers, students, Department of Education (DOE) and NWF to present the school with an award for their accomplishments.

“I applaud the P.S. 154 community on winning the National Wildlife Federation's Eco-Schools USA Green Flag Award,” Rozic said. “Under the leadership of principal Davidson and her staff, our students followed through on their commitment to increase sustainability and work together to make our schools greener.”

DOE also presented the school with a $5,000 grant to continue and expand the program in the coming years.

Principal Tara Davidson noted that with the success of the environmental awareness program, that she says would not have been possible without help from parents and staff, comes great responsibility to carry on the hard work in the coming years.

“We are honored to be the second NYC school to receive the Eco-Schools USA’s Green Flag award,” Davidson said. “(We) will continue to use the program’s comprehensive framework to weave environmental education into our curriculum.”